The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-02-04
THIS LIFE.
miscellaneous.
HELPING THE KING.

his sheep down in a lonely valley. War was
raging in the land, and the boy would have
liked to go out and fight against the enemy.
but he was too young. He was good boy,
careful of his sheep and kind to his dog,
and active and Industrious at his work; and
nj home he was obedient and gentle, and al
ways ready 10 do good turn for any one.
But though he liked his work, lie would
have liked better to fight, and he was very
sorry that he could not be a soldier. One
day long column of loose soldiers, with
bright red coats and flashing helmets, and
trumpcts sounding, rode through the valley
on their way to battle. Among them was
young soldier, n cousin of the shepherd boy,
and not many years older. The boy called
to him, and babe him good bye, and rs the
soldiers disappeared at the End of the valley,
he said to himself, 81 wish | was rs old as
my cousin that might 90 out to fight the
kings battles. He will risk bis life TO help
the king, and maybe, he may do something
great and help to win battle and save our
country; but l can do nothing but stay here
and watch a few sheep. wish l could do
something to help the king" AS lie said
these words pigeon came hurrcdly flying
close over his head. The boy looked up and
there was hawk chasing after her. The poor
bird flew round and round, and here and
there, and managed to escape as far as the
next meadow; but she was close followed at
every turn by the hungry hawk, and it was
clear that she would be caught in minute,
If no help came. There was no time to
60 round by the gate, so in a moment the
boy jumped on high stone wall that parted
the two meadows; it was high wall and
there was steep, rough rock on the other
side. The jump was dagerous one, but
without moments hesitation the brave lad
leaped down and the next moment--though he
sprained his foot and fell striking one cheek
against sharp edge in the rock-he was up
again on his feet, and flinging bis crook at
the hawk he stopped him just in time to save
the poor trembling pigeon. Then he took
up the pigeon, more dead than alive, and
stroked 1t gently. In few minutes it SEEM
ed to gain strength and courage. Meantime,
the shepherd-boy, limping as he went, car
ried the bird round to the meadow where he
was keeping his sheep. And now, while he
was feeding the pigeon with some bread
crumbs it came into his mind, "What am
said, II will take 1t home to my brothers and
sisters. How pleased they will bel" Then
1t occurred to him: Perhaps the pigeon be-
longs to some one else. Indeed 1t must for it's
not wild wood-pigeon, but tame one; and
besides, some one has tied q silk thread and
q piece of paper round its neck. But then
have l not saved it9 1t would have been
killed but for me. Surely it belongs to me-
And besides, If l let II go, may not another
hawk kill itY All this he thought to himself,
and part of 1t he spoke aloud. But when he
had finished, his conscience told him that he
ought not to keep the pigeon; it was very
hard to let it 60, but it was right. So he
kissed the pigeon and said: Goodbye; 60
home to your master who gave you your
little silk collar"
Away flew the pigeon straight towards
castle at the top of hill long way of, and
at the same time away galloped man on
horseback down in the deep lane that ran
by the side of the meadow. The boy wonder
ed for q minute who 1t was that had been
quietly waiting in the lane, but he coon for
got all about that. Now you must know
that this man who galloped off when the
pigeon flew away was no other than the
king. The king had been riding little way
behind his soldiers and had heard all the
shepherd-boy's complaints and how he
wanted to do something TO help the king.
He had also noticed how the brave boy had
jumped from the top of high wall and had
saved the pigeon. Moreover, Just as the
pigeon was rising to fly away, be had notice
ed the little piece of paper tied by the silk
thread round the pigeons neck. He had
not noticed this while the bird was in the
boys hand, but when 1t began to flap its
wings, he caught sight of It and then he
knew at once that it was one of his own
carrier pigeons bringing note to his castle
and that was why as soon as the pigeon flew
off the king galloped of as well, for he want
ed to see what news the pigeon brought him.
When he reached home he saw the pigeon
waiting for him and opening the note, he
found that it was from one of his generals,
telling him where the enemy were encamp-
ed, and showing him how he could bring UP
a fresh army, and SO he might defeat the
enemy. About amonth after this back came
the soldiers, riding through the valley with
the king at their head. And this time their
trumpets sounded, not for war, but for glad
ness and peace; for they had defeated the
enemy in great battle, and now tho war
was over. Again the shepherd-boy looked at
the brave soldiers riding through the valley
to the kings castle, and again he wished that
he had been a soldier able to do something
to help the king. But next day while he
was sitting with his faithful dog by his side,
watching his sheep, came messenger from
the king, saying: "You are 10 come at once
to the kings palace"
The shepherd-bOy assured the messenger
there must be some mistake, but he said there
was no mistake, and would not even give
him time to put on his best clothes. When
they came into the castle hall, they found
the king seated on his throne, and around
him all his councillors, generals and officers,
Presently the trumpeter blew trumpet and
gave notice thathe had been ordered 10 call
out the names Of all those who had helped
the king in the war, and each man was to
come up TO receive reward. So the trumpet
blew, the names were called, and both coun-
cilors and soldiers went up in their fine robes
to receive their rewards. At last the trumpet
blew and the shepherd-boy's name was read
out. At first he did not stir, feeling sure
there was some mistake, but those near him
said, "The king is looking at you, go up"
So he went towards the king looking very
much perplexed and a little ashamed.
But the king smiling at him, said, Little
friend, what reward must give you for the
help you gave me in my war;"
"Sir," said the boy, II deserve no reward,